Taming the Darkness (Series 3)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

"PATRICK is that you? Ako 'to, si ate Glory mo. We've been looking for you for so long."

"Patrick ang pangalan mo at hindi Caleb?" gulat na tanong ni Zenaia na nabigla sa sinabi ni Glory. She was even more surprised to see Caleb frowning in confusion. Mukhang wala rin itong clue kung ano ang meron.

"I think you've got the wrong person, miss." Kalmadong tanggi ni Caleb. "I don't even know who you are."

"What are you saying, Glory?" tanong ni Marcus na siyang halatang naguguluhan din sa inaakto ng beloved nito. "You know the Keeper of the Keys?"

Nanlalaki ang mga mata ni Glory at binalingan si Marcus. "He's the Keeper of the Keys that you were talking about?"

Tumango si Marcus. "King Zafrix mentioned that a boy named Caleb is the new Keeper of the Keys."

"Pero imposible."

"Bakit?"

"Remember Sofia's brother that we've been looking for so long?" she reminded him.

Marcus's eyes slightly widened as if he just remembered something. He then stared at Caleb and studied his face. But Caleb remained serious and didn't utter a word as if they're not talking about him. O sadyang wala lang itong pakialam.

"Naaalala mo na? We even have a poster of him." Paalala ni Glory. She couldn't her eyes off Caleb's very familiar face.

Saglit na natahimik si Marcus at patuloy na pinagmasdan ang mukha ng binatilyo. Zenaia saw something crossed the future alpha's eyes before he pulled his gaze and looked down at his beloved with a confused smile.

"I can't remember much. The boy in the poster that you gave us looks too young. I'm not sure if this is Patrick that we are looking for," marahan nitong sabi bagay na hindi inaasahan ni Glory. Ang akala nito ay sasang-ayon ang lalaki.

Maging si Zenaia ay hindi inaasahan ang sagot na iyon ni Marcus lalo na at nakita niya ang reaksiyon nito nang matitigan si Caleb.

"B-But---"

"I apologize," paumanhin ni Marcus kay Caleb. "I think my beloved had mistaken you for someone. Medyo matagal na rin kasi talaga naming hinahanap si Patrick. He's Sofia's younger brother. We're not blood-related, but Sofia and Patrick grew up together," paliwanag nito.

"It's alright, no harm done," seryosong sabi ni Caleb na halatang hindi naman masyadong naapektuhan sa nangyari.

Glory still looked like she wants to say something but Marcus had gently held her by the arm to stop her. Bumakas ang lungkot sa maamong mukha nito at tahimik na lamang na pinagmasdan ang mukha ni Caleb.

On the other hand, Zenaia have been observing Marcus. He was very quick to hide his thoughts and emotions. She had seen something crossing his eyes as soon as he studied Caleb's face as if he did recognized him but said otherwise.

She then looked at Caleb. He looked completely clueless even though he's not showing any hint of reaction on his neutral face. She knows that he had only become aware of himself as the Keeper of the Keys but he still hasn't gained his memories about his life a few years back.

At kung sakali man na naging parte nga ng buhay ni Caleb ang mga ito noon base sa reaksiyon ni Glory... then, that means that it's a good thing, right? Mainam naman sigurong may makakatulong na rito para maalala ang nakaraan nito.

"What's going on here? Kanina pa namin kayo hinihintay," sabi ni Veseva na siyang naglalakad papalapit sa kanila.

"Ah, we're just introducing ourselves to our visitors," agad na sagot ni Cedric na siyang hindi rin nakaimik kanina sa naging usapan dahil sa pagkabigla.